Heading into the holidays auction houses around the world are completing their final sales ahead of the winter solstice.  This week twenty-three sales were archived:  thirteen in Euros, five each in British Pounds and US dollars.  Total turnover was a respectable $11,094,596 or 89% against an aggregate high estimate of $12,521,567 – a strong if not stellar performance given this is the crescendo of the season.  December, when auction realizations often explode, sets the table for the spring session and the year ahead.  This year the auction houses have labored under the twin constraints of international financial uncertainty and the ever-closer drumbeat of retiring dealers who are slowing their buying and sooner or later, will be consigning to the rooms.

For the week 14,562 lots were offered and 10,152 sold for a 70% success rate.

The following sales reached or exceeded 100% of their aggregate high estimates.

Piasa.  Autographs on December 6^th:  168%

Piasa.  Modern Prints – Henri M. Petiet Prints and Manuscripts on December 8^th:  128%

Ferraton.  Books, Manuscripts and Books on December 2^nd:  119% 

Osenat.  The French Empire in Fontainbleau on December 4^th:  113%

Keys Fine Arts.  Books Day 2 on December 2^nd:  107%

Three sales had turnover of more than a million dollars:

Sotheby’s.  Western and Oriental Manuscripts on December 6th:  $1,548,039

Christie’s.  Prints on December 7^th:  $1,138,375

Artcurial Briest-Le Fur-Poulain-F. Tajan.  Prints and Illustrated Books on December 6^th:  $1,021,614

The following sales are scheduled over the next nine days:

December 12^th Alde.  Library of Amateur from Lyon (17899)

December 13^th          Ader.  Autographs et Manuscripts (11571)

                                    Alde.  Ancient and Modern Books (17320)

                                    Mealy’s Auctioneers.  Important Irish & English Literature, Manuscripts & Maps (121311)

                                    Sotheby’s.  Fine Books and Manuscripts (N08811)

                                    Swann Galleries.  Important Photobooks & Photographs (2265)

December 14^th          Bloomsbury Auctions.  Books, Autographs and Prints (ROMA-68)

                                    Bloomsbury Auctions.  Books, Manuscript, Maps and Works on Paper (35863)

                                    Bonhams.  Entertainment Memorabilia including Animation Art (19431)
Dominic Winter Book Auctions.  Books and Maps (12142011)

                                    Mealy’s Auctioneers.  Important Irish & English Literature, Manuscripts & Maps (121311)

December 15^th          Alde.  Autograph letters and Manuscripts, Music (17321)

                                    Bonhams.  Fine Books and Manuscripts (19427)

                                    Dominic Winter.  Children’s Winter Book Auctions (12152011)

                                    PBA Galleries.  Americana – Travel – Cartography (469)

                                    Profiles in History.  Icons of Hollywood (121511)

                                    Sotheby’s.  English Literature, History, Children’s Books (NO8812)

                                    Swann Galleries.  The Complete Poster Works of Roger Broders (2266)

December 16^th          Christie’s.  The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor:  Fine and Decorative  Art & Film
 Memorabilia, including costumes (2634)
Profiles in History.  Icons of Hollywood (121511)

December 17^th          Christie’s.  The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor:  [online auction) (23616)
Profiles in History.  Icons of Hollywood (121511)           

December 19^th          Christie’s.  Photographs (2495)

                                    Christie’s.  Photographs (2524)

December 21^st           Dorotheum.    Books and Decorative Prints (12111)

Best wishes,

Bruce McKinney

AE